Vehicle owners may be required to change name on car registration in Alaska on various occasions through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state Department of Administration (DOA). The car registration name change procedure must be performed when motorists want to add, delete or change their names due to marriage or divorce. Changing car registration to another person is a procedure that may be also required from motorists who receive a court order for updating their names.

However, before correcting or adding a name to a car registration, drivers will need to other complete steps. Individuals who are wondering, “How do I change the name on my car registration in Alaska?” are encouraged to continue reading the sections below to find out more.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Name on Your Alaska Car Registration

An Alaska car registration name change after marriage is the most common procedure that motorists need to perform when they take their spouse’s last name.

However, changing name on car registration after a divorce may be also performed in situations when vehicle owners want to switch back to their previous surnames, due to a dissolution of their marriage.

A change in marital status is not the only reason for a legal name change. Select residents may alter their first, middle or last name for personal reasons and obtain a court order. When you change your name due to court orders, you must inform the DOA in Alaska of the designation modification.

Regardless of whether you are changing name on car registration after marriage or after a divorce, you need to perform a procedure through the AK DMV.

If you are still wondering when to change your name on car registration in Alaska, then read the following section to learn about the time limits for updating driver and vehicle records.

Alaska Name Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration

Motorists who want to find out an answer to the question, “How long do I have to change my name before having a penalty in Alaska?” are encouraged to perform a name update procedure within a predetermined time frame.

The time limits to change your name on car registration are set to 30 days from the date when the name change has been done. Failure to do so may bring you certain consequences for not changing your name on time.

Therefore, drivers who want to avoid facing penalties for not changing the names on their car registration in Alaska are encouraged to obey the given time limit of 30 days for a name update.

Steps to Take Before Updating Your Registration in Alaska

You need to learn what to do before updating your registration if you are a vehicle owner who wants to perform a name change process.

Motorists who want to find out what to do before updating your registration will need to first change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) because the DMV will verify your name with the SSA.

To perform a name change procedure with the SSA, you will be required to provide a set of documents by mail or in person to a local SSA office.

After updating your name with the SSA, you will be required to perform a drivers license name change within 30 days. A process of DMV registration update may be performed only after you change your name on your Social Security card and on your driver’s license.

How to Change Your Name on Your Alaska Car Registration

Motorists who are wondering “How do I change my car registration name in person in Alaska” need to know that the process may require them to complete an application to submit to the AK DMV.

This document may be needed when you plan to update the name on your car title and to change vehicle registration name in person. In addition to the application form for changing your name on your car registration in person, you may also be required to submit the original car title.

Note: The AK DMV does not currently allow motorists to change vehicle registration name online, as documents need to be inspected by a state representative.

When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Alaska

The DMV may allow you to renew your car registration in Alaska when you want to make a name change within the renewal period. In order to update your name and renew your car registration name change requests may be submitted to the DMV when performing a car registration renewal procedure.

Therefore, make sure to first find out the answer to, “How long do you have to renew your tag in Alaska?” so that you may update your name information with the DMV within the renewal period.

Alaska DMV Name Change Fees

Submitting payment for AK DMV name change fees is the final step of a procedure for updating a name on vehicle registration. Motorists will be required to pay a $2 fee when obtaining replacement credentials along with the name update process. In addition, applicants may be required to pay car title fees when replacing their documents.

Therefore, the DMV title name change fee may vary based on whether you want to obtain a duplicate vehicle title or a replacement car registration card.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.